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OBARA: THE TALE OF A LOVELY STREAM |
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The gifts of nature are always interesting and priceless but then,the onus lies on us to protect what nature has blessed us with.
I knew of a stream called 'Obara' in Ifite-Awka, Anambra state, few years ago and then, the stream was full of life. Flowing with zest and energy,Obara,for me,was fun to watch. It wasn't a big stream,it was a relatively shallow running stream that gave people of that village an alternative source of water from other natural and unnatural water sources. Then came rapid development in that area of Ifite,with developers trooping in and houses springing up,a covert was soon constructed over the Obara stream to allow vehicular and human traffic more easily. Obara lived and flowed through this covert before hitting a snag. The Obara stream, about 2 to 3 years ago, was blocked with both sand and inorganic waste dumps. The stream ceased to flow for months then and it was the raining season. Obara stream was filled to the brim with rain water but couldn't go pass the covert because of the materials that blocked its channel. The covert was later opened for the stream to resume its normal life again. However, it got worse this year when the channel of the Obara stream was again blocked. With the raining season in full session, the Obara stream was dangerously filled beyond its capacity with the water having a thick dark colour. It was indeed a great site for mosquito breeding and worse still,there's an uncompleted building beside the site of this stream with people living in it. The stream threatens the foundation of building while the health state of the people living close by was also in for the threat. It also occupied some parts of the people's farm. It pained me that a once appreciated gift of nature is now a shadow of itself,a resource that can't be made by man being wasted this way. How could nature be this disrupted? How can Obara's life be damage this way? I can't visit the Obara anymore to enjoy its flow,I can't watch its other interesting features. I viewed it from the angle of "if this happened to a human" how will the person feel. Our natural resources are treasures we must hold dear. However,there's a good news, the Obara is coming back to life,though I doubt if it will ever regain its initial form, it's coming back to shape. Work started on the Obara stream earlier this week and as I write this,the heavy accumulation of water there has now been drastically reduced as the covert has been unblocked and people are happy for it was hitherto an annoying site to behold. I am happy, I am excited that Obara is back. Now,I will do more to make sure of Obara's full and sustained recovery starting with attending the residents meeting of the area to make suggestions on how to protect the Obara and also refuse disposal methods which is one of the things that blocked Obara's channel. Obara is back,and I will help it live again. I love nature!
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9 Comments
@Rohan and @Jaideen: it's good to know your stories as well,we just need to help as much as we can to revive out small streams and rivers.
Posted 08-09-2014 15:07
@Rahul: That's quite interesting from you. It's good to know global efforts are being made to rescue the situation.
Posted 08-09-2014 15:02
Udeh, you have beautifully written the report about stream "obara". there are countless small streams and rivers in our cities which as both historical and religious importance but due sudden development and increase in the habitat of people, such river and streams have lost their natural identities and are now common dumping sites. Realizing this, some NGOs and local youths have launched campaign of cleaning the rivers and reviving the original beauty of such streams and rivers
Posted 07-09-2014 16:25
I agree, dumping waste into the stream and water sources is just unacceptable. I really don't get it why some people just put their need first rather that the need of the public. In Thailand, we have the problem of the pollution Chao Phraya River. And when the flood came a few years ago, our action of dumping waste resulted back to ourselves. The water on the street are full of rotten waste and sometimes you can got infected by just touching it. So, after the flood, the campaign of stop littering in the wrong place is getting stronger. I'm glad to say that the lower part of Chao Phraya is being take care of. It's getting better now.
Thanks for sharing :)
Posted 06-09-2014 21:42
Udeh, your report is very vivid. I read it with great interest from start to the finish.
In reality the "finish" line of your report is a new start. Refreshing start for the local population.
they have made sure to run the water stream again in full flow.
This Ifite-Awka story is similar in comparison with our mother earth. She has given us so much. It is we who abused the nature. But nature is forgiving. If we make a collective effort, we can regain the natural resources.
You have shown us a silver lining.
Thanks for the report.
Posted 06-09-2014 21:11
Thanks guys.
We just have to take greater responsibility.
Posted 06-09-2014 10:41
Your write up shows your passion and love for nature and natural resources like this stream"Obara". Beautifully written report.
It's pity that neither the residents nor the authortities/municipalities have maintained it . Happy to know that work has started to resume it's beauty and health. Hope this time it remains clean and healthy flow of water. You are doing a good job by coming forward to work for it's recovery.
Thanks for sharing.
Posted 06-09-2014 01:23
Thanks Udeh :)
Great information!
Natural things are precious. These do not get worse by themselves rather we commit pollution by our actions. We should make them beautiful. And simply we have to keep the nature nit and clean. It's our responsibility too.
Thanks again for the actions taken.
Posted 05-09-2014 19:24
Hi Udeh!
I am glad to know that 'Obara' is transforming again to re-live and resume its life. All we can do is to 'hope' for the best. I pray that the lost glory is restored again and you can enjoy the scenery once again to the best of ability.
Cheers!
:)
Posted 05-09-2014 16:46